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2021 Tennessee Code
Title 36 - Domestic Relations
Chapter 2 - Parentage
Part 3 - Parentage and Legitimation
§ 36-2-311. Order of Parentage

Universal Citation:
TN Code § 36-2-311 (2021)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.
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  1. Upon establishing parentage, the court shall make an order declaring the father of the child. This order shall include the following:

    1. Full names and residential and mailing addresses of the mother, father and child, if known;

    2. Dates of birth and social security numbers of the mother, father and the child, if known;

    3. Father's place of birth, if known;

    4. Home telephone number of the mother and the father, if known;

    5. Driver license numbers of mother and father, if known;

    6. Name, address and telephone number of mother and father's employers, if known;

    7. Availability of health insurance to cover the child, if known;

    8. Determination of the child's name on the child's birth certificate;

    9. Determination of the custody of the child pursuant to chapter 6 of this title;

    10. Determination of visitation or parental access pursuant to chapter 6 of this title;


      1. Determination of child support pursuant to chapter 5 of this title. When making retroactive support awards pursuant to the child support guidelines established pursuant to this subsection (a), the court shall consider the following factors as a basis for deviation from the presumption in the child support guidelines that child and medical support for the benefit of the child shall be awarded retroactively to the date of the child's birth:
        1. The extent to which the father did not know, and could not have known, of the existence of the child, the birth of the child, his possible parentage of the child or the location of the child;

        2. The extent to which the mother intentionally, and without good cause, failed or refused to notify the father of the existence of the child, the birth of the child, the father's possible parentage of the child or the location of the child; and

        3. The attempts, if any, by the child's mother or caretaker to notify the father of the mother's pregnancy, or the existence of the child, the father's possible parentage or the location of the child;

      2. In cases in which the presumption of the application of the guidelines is rebutted by clear and convincing evidence, the court shall deviate from the child support guidelines to reduce, in whole or in part, any retroactive support. The court must make a written finding that application of the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate in order to provide for the best interests of the child or the equity between the parties;

      3. Deviations shall not be granted in circumstances where, based upon clear and convincing evidence:
        1. The father has a demonstrated history of violence or domestic violence toward the mother, the child's caretaker or the child;

        2. The child is the product of rape or incest of the mother by the father of the child;

        3. The mother or caretaker of the child, or the child has a reasonable apprehension of harm from the father or those acting on his behalf toward the mother, the child's caretaker or the child; or

        4. The father or those acting on his behalf, have abused or neglected the child;

      4. Nothing in this subdivision (a)(11) shall limit the right of the state of Tennessee to recover from the father expenditures made by the state for the benefit of the child, or the right, or obligation, of the Title IV-D child support agency to pursue retroactive support for the custodial parent or caretaker of the child where appropriate;

      5. Any amounts of retroactive support ordered that have been assigned to the state  pursuant to § 71-3-124 shall be subject to the child support distribution requirements of 42 U.S.C. § 657. In such cases, the court order shall contain any language necessary to allow the state to recover the assigned support amounts;

      6. In making any deviations from awarding retroactive support, the court shall make written findings of fact and conclusions of law to support the basis for the deviation, and shall include in the order the total amount of retroactive support that would have been paid retroactively to the birth of the child, had a deviation not been made by the court;

        1. In any action for retroactive child support filed on or after July 1, 2017, retroactive child support shall not be awarded for a period of more than five (5) years from the date the action for support is filed unless the court determines, for good cause shown, that a different award of retroactive child support is in the interest of justice. The burden to show that a longer time period of retroactive support is in the interest of justice is on the custodial parent. Good cause includes, but is not limited to, the following:

          1. The noncustodial parent deliberately avoided service or knowingly impeded or delayed the imposition of a support obligation;

          2. The noncustodial parent used threats, intimidation, or force to prevent or delay the imposition of a support obligation; or

          3. The custodial parent reasonably feared that the establishment of parentage would result in domestic abuse, as defined in § 36-3-601;

        2. The court may award retroactive child support for less than the five-year-period required by subdivision (a)(11)(i) if the court determines, for good cause shown, that a different award of retroactive child support is in the interest of justice. The burden to show that a shorter time period of retroactive support is in the interest of justice is on the noncustodial parent;

        3. Upon a finding of good cause in accordance with this subdivision (a)(11)(G), the court may order retroactive support from the date the court determines to be equitable and just;

        4. The presumption that child support for the benefit of the child be awarded retroactively to the date of the child's birth contained in the child support guidelines shall not apply to any action in which this subdivision (a)(11)(G) is applicable;

        5. Nothing in this subdivision (a)(11)(G) limits any claim for retroactive child support owed to the department of human services;

    12. Determination of liability for funeral expense to either or both parties, if the child is deceased;

    13. Determination of liability for a mother's reasonable expenses for her pregnancy, confinement and recovery to either or both parties; and

    14. Determination of the liability for counsel fees to either or both parties after consideration of all relevant factors.

  2. This order may include the following:

    1. An order of protection; and

    2. Any provision determined to be in the best interests of the child.

  3. All provisions of chapter 5 of this title that relate to child support and § 50-2-105 shall apply to support orders issued in any action under this chapter.



      1. When the court enters an order in which the paternity of a child is determined or support is ordered, enforced or modified for a child, each individual who is a party to any action pursuant to this part shall be immediately required to file with the court and, if the case is a Title IV-D child support case, shall immediately file with the local Title IV-D child support office, for entry into the state registry of support cases, and shall update, as appropriate, the parties' and, for subdivisions (d)(1)(A)(i)-(iii), the child's or children's:
        1. Full name and any change in name;

        2. Social security number and date and place of birth;

        3. Residential and mailing addresses;

        4. Home telephone numbers;

        5. Driver license number;

        6. The name, address, and telephone number of the person's employer;

        7. The availability and cost of health insurance for the child; and

        8. Gross annual income.

      2. The requirements of this subdivision (d)(1) may be included in the court's order.

    2. Each individual who is a party must update changes in circumstances of the individual for the information required by subdivision (d)(1) within ten (10) days of the date of such change. At the time of the entry of the first order pertaining to child support after July 1, 1997, clear written notice shall be given to each party of the requirements of this subsection (d), procedures for complying with this subsection (d) and a description of the effect or failure to comply. Such requirement may be noted in the order of the court.

    3. In any subsequent child support enforcement action, the delivery of written notice as required by Rule 5 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure to the most recent residential or employer address shown in the court's records or the Title IV-D agency's records as required in subdivision (d)(1) shall be deemed to satisfy due process requirements for notice and service of process with respect to that party if there is a sufficient showing and the court is satisfied that a diligent effort has been made to ascertain the location and whereabouts of the party.

  5. Upon motion of either party, upon a showing of domestic violence or the threat of such violence, the court may enter an order to withhold from public access the address, telephone number, and location of the alleged victim or victims or threatened victim or victims of such circumstances. The clerk of the court shall withhold such information based upon the court's specific order but may not be held liable for release of such information.
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